The influence of multiple sewage sludge amendments on the PCB content of an agricultural soil over time

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140402· OSTI ID:42917

Alcock, R E; Jones, K C ^[1]; McGrath, S P ^[2]

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1. Lancaster Univ. (United Kingdom). Inst. of Environmental and Biological Sciences
2. Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden (United Kingdom)

The polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) content of soils from a long-term agricultural experiment that received 25 separate sewage sludge applications from 1942 to 1961 is presented, along with data from an untreated control plot. Archived plough layer (0 to 23 cm) soil samples were collected, stored, and processed in the same manner between 1942 and 1992 (i.e., before, during, and after sludge amendments) and samples of the applied sludges were available for analysis. Soil {Sigma} PCB concentrations (defined as the sum of the 27 congeners quantified) on the control plot increased between 1942 (63 {mu}g {Sigma} PCB kg{sup {minus}1}) and 1972 (560 {mu}g {Sigma} PCB kg{sup {minus}1}) as a result of atmospheric deposition inputs; they subsequently declined to 13 {mu}g {Sigma} PCB kg{sup {minus}1} in 1992. A total of {approximately} 1 kg {Sigma} PCBs/hectare was applied in sewage sludges (containing 0.14 to 4.33 mg {Sigma} PCB kg{sup {minus}1}) to the sludge-amended plot. Soil concentrations increased accordingly, to 640 {mu}g {Sigma} PCB kg{sup {minus}1} by 1960. However, because of the continued high atmospheric deposition inputs, concentrations on this plot also continued to increase until 1972. By 1992, the sludge-amended plot contained ca. 5 times the {Sigma} PCB content of the control plot. By 1960, {approximately} 81% of the predicted {Sigma} PCB added in sludge could be accounted for; this had decreased to < 50 and 21% by 1984 and 1992, respectively. Marked compound-specific differences in soil persistence were noted; generally lower chlorinated (3/4-Cl) congeners became less important contributors to the {Sigma} PCB content of the soils over time, while 5-Cl homologues and above increased.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 42917
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 14; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
HALF-LIFE
LAND POLLUTION
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
SAMPLING
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SOILS